A 28-year-old woman is referred for psychotherapy for recurrent depression with interpersonal difficulties. In Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), the therapist identifies 'grief' as a focus. This refers to:

• A Anticipatory grief about her own illness diagnosis
• B Complicated bereavement following the death of a significant person, where the grief is delayed, distorted, or prolonged ✓
• C Unresolved childhood grief preventing adult attachment
• D Grief over loss of employment and social status

Explanation

IPT addresses depression within four interpersonal problem areas: (1) grief (complicated bereavement — delayed, absent, or distorted mourning after loss of a loved one); (2) role disputes (conflicting expectations in a significant relationship); (3) role transitions (adjustments to life changes, e.g., divorce, retirement); (4) interpersonal deficits (social isolation, impoverished relationships). 'Grief' in IPT specifically refers to pathological mourning following bereavement, not general loss. IPT for grief facilitates mourning and helps establish new relationships/interests.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.